- Primary Energy Consumption per Capita refers to the total amount of primary energy consumed within a country divided by its total population in a given year.
Saudi Arabia Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 313.9 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, up 0.8% on 2022. The Primary Energy Consumption per Capita in Saudi Arabia Between 2015 and 2023, highlighting per person energy use, consumption trends, and efficiency patterns reflects a very high energy consumption profile driven by hydrocarbon based economy industrial expansion and high domestic energy demand. It decreased from 336.0 GJ per capita in 2015 to 313.9 GJ in 2023 indicating an overall downward trend with fluctuations.
Saudi Arabia Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 336 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 313.9 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (−6.6%), an average of −0.8% a year. The series high was 342.6 Gigajoule per Capita in 2016 and the low 288.7 Gigajoule per Capita in 2020.
The gap between the series high (2016) and low (2020) is 53.90 Gigajoule per Capita. The sharpest single-year move was −6.5% in 2019.
Among the 37 countries in this dataset, Saudi Arabia ranks 4 for 2023, behind Singapore (577 Gigajoule per Capita) and UAE (539.4 Gigajoule per Capita). The global figure for 2023 is 77.00 Gigajoule per Capita, so Saudi Arabia is above it.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Gigajoule per Capita.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Gigajoule per Capita | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 313.9 | +0.8% |
| 2022 | 311.5 | +4.3% |
| 2021 | 298.6 | +3.4% |
| 2020 Trough | 288.7 | −3.2% |
| 2019 | 298.2 | −6.5% |
| 2018 | 318.9 | −4.8% |
| 2017 | 335 | −2.2% |
| 2016Peak | 342.6 | +2% |
| 2015 | 336 | — |
Regional context
Primary Energy Consumption per Capita by country, 2023, Gigajoule per Capita. Saudi Arabia is highlighted.
Data definition
Primary Energy Consumption per Capita — - Primary Energy Consumption per Capita refers to the total amount of primary energy consumed within a country divided by its total population in a given year. It is expressed as energy per person, typically measured in tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) per capita or gigajoules (GJ) per capita, depending on the dataset. This indicator reflects the average energy use of an individual in a country and provides insight into national energy intensity, living standards, industrialization levels, and economic structure. It is widely used to compare energy consumption patterns across countries and to assess trends in energy demand relative to population size.
The data includes total primary energy consumption from all major sources such as coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear energy, hydroelectric power, and renewable energy sources including wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal. It considers the full national energy supply before conversion losses and divides it by the mid-year population to derive per capita values. The indicator covers energy used across all sectors, including residential, industrial, commercial, transportation, and power generation activities. It reflects both direct energy use and energy used for electricity generation and other transformation processes, ensuring a comprehensive representation of national energy demand per person.
The data excludes energy consumption after transformation into final energy forms such as electricity and refined petroleum products when considered separately from primary inputs. It does not isolate sector-specific per capita consumption (e.g., industrial or household-only energy use). The indicator does not account for energy efficiency, affordability, or access disparities among population groups. It also does not measure emissions, environmental impacts, or energy service quality such as reliability and continuity of supply. Differences in statistical methodologies, conversion factors, and population estimation methods across countries may result in minor variations in comparability.
Primary Energy Consumption per Capita — - Primary Energy Consumption per Capita refers to the total amount of primary energy consumed within a country divided by its total population in a given year. It is expressed as energy per person, typically measured in tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) per capita or gigajoules (GJ) per capita, depending on the dataset. This indicator reflects the average energy use of an individual in a country and provides insight into national energy intensity, living standards, industrialization levels, and economic structure. It is widely used to compare energy consumption patterns across countries and to assess trends in energy demand relative to population size.
Between 2015 and 2019 consumption declined from 336.0 to 298.2 GJ per capita influenced by energy efficiency reforms subsidy adjustments and structural economic changes under diversification initiatives. In 2020 consumption further declined to 288.7 GJ per capita due to pandemic related reductions in industrial and transport activity. From 2021 to 2023 consumption gradually recovered rising to 298.6 311.5 and 313.9 GJ per capita respectively reflecting post pandemic economic recovery and increased industrial activity. Despite recovery levels remain below earlier peaks indicating improving efficiency and structural shifts in energy consumption patterns. Overall Saudi Arabia maintains one of the highest per capita energy consumption levels globally primarily driven by energy intensive industries petrochemicals and high domestic cooling demand due to climatic conditions. Additionally ongoing economic diversification under national development strategies is influencing energy consumption patterns by promoting efficiency improvements and gradual sectoral transformation. The dataset highlights the importance of balancing high domestic energy demand with sustainability initiatives and efficiency reforms. Future trends are expected to be shaped by renewable energy expansion industrial diversification and energy subsidy reforms supporting long term economic sustainability and reduced energy intensity across sectors while maintaining strong industrial growth and national development objectives.
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Definition- Primary Energy Consumption per Capita refers to the total amount of primary energy consumed within a country divided by its total population in a given year. It is expressed as energy per person, typically measured in tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) per capita or gigajoules (GJ) per capita, depending on the dataset. This indicator reflects the average energy use of an individual in a country and provides insight into national energy intensity, living standards, industrialization levels, and economic structure. It is widely used to compare energy consumption patterns across countries and to assess trends in energy demand relative to population size.
Saudi Arabia Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 313.9 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, up 0.8% on 2022.
Saudi Arabia Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 336 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 313.9 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (−6.6%), an average of −0.8% a year. The series high was 342.6 Gigajoule per Capita in 2016 and the low 288.7 Gigajoule per Capita in 2020.
The highest value was 342.6 Gigajoule per Capita in 2016 and the lowest was 288.7 Gigajoule per Capita in 2020.
Included: The data includes total primary energy consumption from all major sources such as coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear energy, hydroelectric power, and renewable energy sources including wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal. It considers the full national energy supply before conversion losses and divides it by the mid-year population to derive per capita values. The indicator covers energy used across all sectors, including residential, industrial, commercial, transportation, and power generation activities. It reflects both direct energy use and energy used for electricity generation and other transformation processes, ensuring a comprehensive representation of national energy demand per person. Excluded: The data excludes energy consumption after transformation into final energy forms such as electricity and refined petroleum products when considered separately from primary inputs. It does not isolate sector-specific per capita consumption (e.g., industrial or household-only energy use). The indicator does not account for energy efficiency, affordability, or access disparities among population groups. It also does not measure emissions, environmental impacts, or energy service quality such as reliability and continuity of supply. Differences in statistical methodologies, conversion factors, and population estimation methods across countries may result in minor variations in comparability.
The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Gigajoule per Capita.
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